Dikgosi support members seeking political office

SHARE | Sunday, 21 June 2015 | By Keitebe Kgosikebatho

Kgosi Moremi

As allegations that the current deputy chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II pile up, some members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi interviewed by this publication say they have no qualms with Dikgosi who decide to leave bogosi for politics.Speaking to this publication, Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse said the decision is a personal choice that should not be held aginst anyone. According to Malope, Dikgosi deserve a chance to join politics whenever and if they so wish. Though he declared that he will never leave Bogosi for politics as he is not a politician himself, Kgosi Malope said he would not hesitate to support any Kgosi who is a politician or have intentions to.Malope’s grandfather Kgosi Bathoen II the man who had been Kgosi for over 41 years stood for elections under the Botswana National Front ticket and to beat ruling party’s Ketumile Masire in the ? general elections, making him the first Kgosi to become a Member of Parliament (MP).For her part Kgosi Kealetile Moremi, the Batawana regent also indicated that she had no problems with Dikgosi who join politics saying it was good for the institution. Moremi, whose younger brother, Kgosi Tawana Moremi ditched his throne and joined politics said that Dikgosi were showing interest in politics was a sign that they had interst in serving their people as a political position is also a leadership position of note. Moremi also indicated that she would wish for any Kgosi who joins politics to emerge victorious as this, was detrimental to the reputation of the institution. “It would be shameful for a kgosi to lose at the polls,” said Moremi.Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo was also of the view that there was nothing wrong with Dikgosi leaving bogosi to pursue a career in politics. According to Ledimo a leadership position in politics was still a position of power and when carried more weight when given to a Kgosi who in his view is a born leader. Ledimo said it would in fact comes as no surprise should any kgosi decide to join politics now as for a long time dikgosi who had decided to join politics, did just that and were given immense support by morafe. For his part Kgosi Colly Cock of Thamaga region said it was not surprising that Dikgosi were jumping ship to politics, saying as it is, Dikgosi have little powers and the Bogosi institution have lost its original power and stature. " currently people have lost so much respect in Dikgosi and Bogosi institution, even a councillor commands more respect than a Kgosi," said Cock. Most Dikgosi however warned that an involvement in politics by a Kgosi had the possibility of dividing morafe as in politics one is ultimately forced to take sides. The dikgosi however expressed oblivion on reports that the deputy chairperson was leaving bogosi for politics, saying it has not been announced yet most however wished him well. Efforts to get the chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi to comment on the matter proved futile as he was engaged in other things.